TRENDING

After dropping out of the 2024 race, President Joe Biden has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee...meaning that we have another shot at getting the first woman president in the U.S.

Harris still has to clinch the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August before she's officially on the ballot this November. But big-name politicians like Nancy Pelosi, Pete Buttigeg and California and Michigan governors Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer have already announced their support of her as the new candidate.

In honor of our potential first female U.S. president (!!), here are some fast facts to know about Kamala Harris.

1. She's been racking up "firsts" her whole career.

Kamala Harris has a long list of trailblazing achievements behind her. She was the first Black woman district attorney in California history, the first California woman attorney general and the first Black, Asian American and woman vice president. If she's elected this November, she will be the first woman president, first Asian American president and first Black woman president in US history.

2. Her passion for social justice started young.

Harris' parents met at UC Berkeley and brought her along to civil rights protests in a stroller. When she was 13, Kamala and her sister Maya led a successful protest in front of their apartment building against a rule that banned kids from playing outside on the lawn.

@kamalaharris

3. She's been friends with Barack Obama since at least 2004.

Kamala Harris was one of the first officeholders in California to endorse Obama when he ran for president in 2008. But she's told reporters "I have my own legacy" when she's been called "the female Obama."

4. She's famous for her sharp questioning.

Harris has received acclaim for her energetic questioning in hearings for both Jeff Sessions and Brett Kavanaugh. Three minutes into her questions, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions said, "I'm not able to be rushed this fast! It made me nervous!"

5. Her online supporters are called the #KHive.

Kamala Harris' online stans called themselves the #KHive when they supported her in 2020, inspired by the #BeyHive of Beyoncé fans.

6. She's behind one of our fave memes of the year.

You may have heard of the viral "coconut tree" meme (it's been making the rounds online for more than a year now!). Long story short: In a speech in May 2023, Harris said, "You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you," and "None of us just live in a silo." She shared some more wisdom from her mom: "My mother used to—she would give us a hard time sometimes, and she would say to us, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?’”

People from politicians to social media influencers have been making the meme their own, with all kinds of jokes and riffs on the words!

are those… coconut trees? pic.twitter.com/UbWheoVbwQ

— Liz Charboneau (@lizchar) July 21, 2024

7. Her motto is also inspired by her mom.

When Harris was growing up, her mother told her, "You may be the first, but make sure you're not the last." We think that just might be her plan as she runs for office this November!

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Slider image: @kamalaharris
Top image: @kamalaharris

by Ava Slocum | 7/22/2024